Animal Profile

Morgana is on the emergency placement list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form.Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Morgana is on the emergency placement list due to her behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 7.7 lbs

Vet Notes

8/19/2023

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 2y, findings agree Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to scratch incidents Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense, but allows all handling with light restraint Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with minor tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female spayed, small caudal abdominal scar c/w OHE MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks observe quarantine SURGERY: already spayed

8/28/2023

Patient observed in kennel (hissing from feral den). Appears BAR, mentally appropriate, and neurologically normal. Eating, drinking, urinating, defecating normally. No coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea. No neurological signs exhibited while at MACC.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

How is this cat around strangers?: fearful, tends to scratch and hiss

How is this cat around children?: n/a

How is this cat around other cats?: n/a

How is this cat around dogs?: n/a

Behavior Notes: Tend to scratch other people and hide in fear. Swats and hisses when nails are trimmed. Struggles with getting a bath, being picked up and being put into a carrier. Is not bothered by being brushed or woken up.

Bite history:: No bite history

Energy level/descriptors:: low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Morgana is a shy and fearful cat who loves wand toys. Morgana will follow you around, sit on you and want to be in the same room as you. Loves chasing toys and string toys. Loves a nice cat bed. Used to a hooded litter box. Loves a cardboard scratching post.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Morgana was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. It was reported that Morgana became aggressive since January. Previous owner was in an accident in January requiring him to use In the most recent instance the previous owner was laying in his bed with Morgana lying next to him, he proceeded to turn over and Morgana scratched his left hand and palm. Morgana was fine after and didn't continue being aggressive.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/30/23 Hisses, slowly retreats from the scratcher tool through the portal door when attempting to pet. She low growls throughout the interaction alert with eyes wide. After a few strokes, she air snaps at the tool while she remains tightly in position against the back wall. Left alone to reduce stress. 9/3/23 Hiding in den out of sight. Started to growl when I unlocked the kennel door and continued as the tool approached, reaching out to swat it. Left it in place, she continued to growl for a few minutes, swatting again. 9/6/23 Morgana was resting inside den, and poked her head out when approached. Her ears were perked up and eyes somewhat dilated. She growled when offered treats on scratcher tool, but ate the treats with little hesitation. She also growled when offered squeeze up, but extended her head further out of den to eat it from the scratcher tool. She swatted as scratcher tool was being withdrawn, but did eat more squeeze up when offered. She continued to growl throughout interaction and her eyes remained somewhat dilated. 9/8/23 Morgana was in the den and began low growling when I opened the door of the kennel. As I approached with treats on the scratcher tool she focused on the tool and began hissing. 9/11/23 Morgana was in the den looking wary with large pupils and ignored the laser, hissed when approached with treats on the scratcher tool and then hissed and swatted the tool after sniffing catnip. 9/12/23 Hiding in her den. Growled when kennel door was opened. Tried sweet-talking to her but she just hissed in response. Swatted at laser toy. Didn’t have too much luck with her I’m afraid. 9/13/23 Morgana was hiding in her den upon socialization. After lifting up the den cover Morgana hissed and low growled. Treats were offered on the scratcher tool but she ignored. when placing the tool inside the portal door of her den, Morgana hissed and raised her paw. Ended socialization short to reduce stress and Morgana continued to low growl.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: New home adjustment period,Pet-induced aggression,Fearful,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: Morgana has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing and aggressive behavior with attempted handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide her with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Upon approach Morgana was in her den. The assessor used the scratch tool to provide her with chicken to distract her while removing the den cover. Morgana hissed, pupils dilated, and she pressed as far back in her den as she could and tucked her tail tightly around her body. The assessor soft-talked and gave her hard treats. Using the scratch tool, the assessor tried to pet Morgana but she kept turning around in her den whenever the tool touched her, lip-licking, hissing and repeatedly swatting the tool. To reduce FAS the assessor ended the interaction with attempting pickup. Morgana remained in the back of her den with dilated pupils. Morgana is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat/scratch, is extremely fearful in the shelter environment and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time. She has a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.